All Things Rhapsody

[Eileen K.]

Justin must be right. DH just ordered the Grand Finale video for me.

Denise in delightfully cool Minneapolis

[Eileen K.]

Elsie, your quilt astounds me! it is incredible!

Sharon, I think that is a very good bribe!lol

lissette in pa

[Eileen K.]

Ok, I am not complaining about the Rhapsody Flag not flying because I am just catching up on all this. I've been playing with my skeleton template and keep doing it over and over. I just seem to come up with the same basic design and can't figure out how all of you have created such beautiful ones. Once you have your first section done, and are ready to transpose onto the next section, do you add lines as you go along to create more intricate designs???

Of course, I am a long way from attempting a Rhapsody but the technique has peaked my interest. My problem is, I want to do everything - right now!! :P

[Eileen K.]

Jessimina--
Keep the skeleton fairly simple. You will be piecing this. If you want it more complex, use the applique for that. I actually re-did my design because it would have been a piecing nightmare. I tend to do very little applique and can piece some fairly complicated designs, but the focal point of the rhapsody is really the applique on a simple pieced background. As I see it, anyway. There is a rhapsody quilt on my profile (Heartsong) but I didn't do any applique on that one. It is all pieced. On this one, the applique takes center stage. There's a photo of it also on my profile, but nothing is stitched down yet. I'm working on getting the applique stitched now. I think I will post a detail shot of one small section.

[Jorie D.]

For those of you already piecing the background, I'd like to hear about how you made your color choices. Thanks to elsielf's wise advice above, I've changed my design but would like to start moving along with some guidance before the teacher gets back!

Thanks!

[Jorie D.]

Jessimina--
Keep the skeleton fairly simple. You will be piecing this. If you want it more complex, use the applique for that. I actually re-did my design because it would have been a piecing nightmare. I tend to do very little applique and can piece some fairly complicated designs, but the focal point of the rhapsody is really the applique on a simple pieced background. As I see it, anyway. There is a rhapsody quilt on my profile (Heartsong) but I didn't do any applique on that one. It is all pieced. On this one, the applique takes center stage. There's a photo of it also on my profile, but nothing is stitched down yet. I'm working on getting the applique stitched now. I think I will post a detail shot of one small section.

Thank you... it's funny but I keep going back to the first skeleton I made, it's fairly simple and I think I could do it with just piecing. I was thinking it was too simple but I see your point about piecing vs. applique. I have never done applique. Everything I've done so far has been via piecing so, I guess I should stick with that. I love your "Heartsong," very, very nice. The detailed section of your applique for what you are working on now is also very nice. I really admire the talent that is evident with all of the members. It's quite encouraging for us beginners.

[Jorie D.]

dollum - the color choices were the hardest part for me. At first the corners were dark and nothing seemed to work right. Then I just kept changing things around and finally I was pleased. The end result does not have one color in it placed where I started out. It was hard for me to visualize the center without the applique.

jessimina - I drew many skeletons and ended up using my very first one. It is the most simple one I drew and I am quite pleased with the different way it looks now that I am adding applique. I will post a picture of a section soon.

Dana in Olive Branch, MS getting ready to go to the Nashville AQS show tomorrow.

[Jorie D.]

Hi all, has anyone heard from Duffy? I haven't seen a post from her in a while. Maybe we just haven't been reading the same topics. Hope she's okay and will post soon.


Have a good evening, Sharon in TN

[Jorie D.]

Jessimina--
Never done applique? Ricky's way really is easy. It's best to do it before you do the piecing, as the smaller sections are much easier to handle. It's all done with fusibles and machine blanket stitch. I'm sure Ricky will cover this when he comes back. Meanwhile, play around with some simple applique designs. what I do is put a piece of tracing paper or freezer paper over the main pattern sections (you can design the applique right on the pattern, also, just use a pencil and a light touch as you will probably be doing a lot of erasing, too.

[Duffy I.]

Hello,
I am just back from Birmingham England. It was the MAX. S U P P E R!!!!
I even have an invitation for giving workschop handbag in Bungay, Suffolk. Should I do that.
The quiltshow was amazing, I met Marti Michel, Barbara Chainey,
Caffe Fassett( again),Margret Beal and many, many more.
What a pitty, Ricky and Alex where not there :cry: :lol:
I am in the coulds(do you say that to). I feld like a child in the candy shop. Spent lots of money to (shuuuuut don't tell my husband)
My stach of fabric is expandig and I have 12 new books.
That is why it is so quiet. I am reading and I have made two new handbags to. Photo's are coming later.
By for now

[Duffy I.]

Duffy, it's good to hear from you. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Certainly, you should do the workshop. It would be a great experience for you. Marge in Ohio

[Duffy I.]

Hi Duffy, I'm glad you had such a good time at the quilt show. As for the class on bags, I say go for it! I'm sure you would be a terrific teacher.

As for the fabric stash, we'll try to keep it a secret!

Have a great day, Sharon in TN

[Duffy I.]

Duffy--sounds like you had a great time. Good thing your husband didn't want to go with--LOL, you would not be able to buy as much! DO the handbag class--they will love you--we do. ritzy

[Duffy I.]

Jessimina--
Never done applique? Ricky's way really is easy. It's best to do it before you do the piecing, as the smaller sections are much easier to handle. It's all done with fusibles and machine blanket stitch. I'm sure Ricky will cover this when he comes back. Meanwhile, play around with some simple applique designs. what I do is put a piece of tracing paper or freezer paper over the main pattern sections (you can design the applique right on the pattern, also, just use a pencil and a light touch as you will probably be doing a lot of erasing, too.

Thank you so much for your help. I will have to do as you say and play around with some applique. In fact, I have a fall table runner that has some pumpkins that have to be appliqued on, maybe I'll try your method on that.

[Duffy I.]

Duffy, Your quilts are AMAZING !!!!! You do such beautiful work.

I miss the Rahpsody flag flying just as much as everyone else. But we have to remember, Ricky and Alex are both very much in demand and their time is limited. We have to be patient, (they say patince is a virtue) and we have to give them their space. We don't want to puch Ricky into the hospital for exhaustion, do we?

Looking forward to the flag flying.

In the meantime, have you started Alex's Fishing with Pop-Pop quilt?